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The fallout from the controversy surrounding the Santa Barbara School District’s Special Education department continued this week with members of the public and School Board member Bob No»l calling for the resignation of District Superintendent Brian Sarvis. “I have become even firmer in the belief that Dr. Sarvis has neither the moral authority nor the temperament for the task. For the sake of the children and the institution, Dr. Sarvis, it is time for you to step down,” said No»l, who spoke at the board’s December 2 meeting from the floor as a member of the public rather than as a board member. Shortly after his statement, the board adjourned to private session-minus No»l-to complete their annual evaluation of Sarvis’s performance.

Paul Wellman

Bob No»l

At its November 25 meeting-which occurred days after Special Education Director Anissa McNeil resigned under repeated criticism from parents-the board was slated to consider granting a contract extension for Sarvis, whose current one runs until June of 2011 for about $204,000 a year. The discussion, however, was tabled because the closed-door evaluation had not yet been completed. No»l and several parents in attendance bristled at the extension because they blame Sarvis for the district’s current state and also because Sarvis received a new contract six months ago. At the Tuesday meeting, a majority of No»l’s fellow boardmembers dismissed on procedural grounds his suggestion that the board publicly discuss the matter despite the tabling. Sarvis stated before this week’s meeting that he will ask the new board not to take up the possibility of a contract extension-which he says he never asked for-until the school year is over. “I intend to stay here, at the very least, until the end of my contract,” he said.